LINCOLN — Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara said Bo Pelini patted some backs Tuesday after what he considered to be an acceptable football practice.

Well, the Huskers better have enjoyed it, because there was no such approval or kind words one day later from the head coach.

Pelini peppered his Wednesday post-practice interview session with short answers and terse comments that clearly reflected his mood after the Huskers' 21st practice in 19 days.

“We're just not a real good football team right now,'' he said. “For a lot of reasons.''

So what about the offensive line competition?

“No one's stepped up and taken control. Bunch of average guys running around out there right now.''

Is it a matter of losing focus toward the end of practice?

“It doesn't matter whether it's the beginning, end, middle. It doesn't really matter, does it?''

Do they get it?

“Apparently not.''

Did he say anything after practice to let them know?

“What do you think?''

The answer to the final question could be found by visiting with Husker players as they left the Hawks Center.

“We heard it,'' NU receiver Niles Paul said. “We heard it. And, of course, he wants us to come out there and compete tomorrow.''

The Huskers downshifted to half pads Wednesday and started work on Florida Atlantic. It changed the routine some from the previous 2½ weeks.

“Yesterday he kind of complimented us and said we had a good practice, so I think that's why most of us wanted to relax,'' Amukamara said. “After hearing his speech today, I think it's going to be picked up tomorrow.

“We should be mature enough to not need a coach to chew our butts just for us to pick it up. But I think our captains are going to get us right.''

The chewing was done by more than Pelini. The defense also took it from assistant coach Marvin Sanders.

“He was highly upset,'' NU safety Larry Asante said. “I can't repeat some of the things he said. We just need to step it up as a defense.''

Pelini by nature has high standards for every practice. It's inevitable that his displeasure with a sub-par one will show because he meets immediately with reporters as he leaves the field several days a week.

Tight end Ryan Hill said what Pelini is asking, though, is not unreasonable.

“He's just wanting us to come out here and compete every day,'' Hill said. “That's all he wants us to do. That's basically what it is.''

Pelini initially said it was about mental and physical effort. But he came back and beat on one again as he said it was about “Want-to. Mental toughness, or lack thereof.''

“We didn't practice like I want to see us practice,'' he said. “It's too inconsistent. And that's what we were last year.''

World-Herald staff writer Mitch Sherman contributed to this report.

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